Nature and a Song: Interview with Sue Sutherland— Twelve Days At Glacier

Hello, friends—and May the Force (of Nature) be with you! (I know…groan…)

Thanks for joining us today!

I was just thinking about how it has now been just over a year since I first started this blog. It has been such a thrill to interview authors and learn about their books, their thoughts, their processes, and their journeys to publication. I have learned A LOT, and I hope you are learning and enjoying the interviews, too!

I’m so glad you’re here.

“On the first day at Glacier, the park showed to me…”

If you’re anything like me, you might be sensing a familiar tune. You might even be singing the first line of Sue Sutherland’s debut book, TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER, illustrated by Chris Gafner. Set loosely in the style of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” this book is a delightful romp through Glacier National Park. It’s a treat for nature enthusiasts, National Park lovers, and tune hummers alike, and also a great way to get young readers counting!

I’m excited to feature TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER, and I think Sue’s story has a lot to teach us. As you’ll read below, Sue is 70 years young and is a former Forester, a mother and grandmother, adventurer, world traveler, crafter, and life-long learner. When she decided to self-publish, she jumped in with enthusiasm and determination, and gave the world this gorgeous book!

So, without further ado…

…let’s grab a cup of something yummy, get comfy…and dig in!

SR: Sue! My friend, you did it! Your debut book is out in the world! How are you feeling?

SS: Stacey! I am absolutely ecstatic! I always wanted to write a book but never thought I had what it takes. So I went in another direction – Forestry. I love the outdoors. But who would have guessed that I actually would publish my first book at age 70. Woohoo! It is NEVER too late and I am having a ball!

SR: WOO HOO! Go, Sue!

Twelve Days At Glacier. Written by Sue Sutherland. Illustrated by Chris Gafner.

SR: You’ve had quite the publishing journey. Could you tell us a little bit about your background, why Glacier Park is significant to you, and what inspired you to write a book about it? 

SS: Stacey, you are right! This has been an amazing journey with lots of twists and dead ends. My writing journey started when my middle daughter was four years old and she decided that she did not believe in Santa Claus. I knew I HAD to share that story with the world. But I had no clue how to begin. This was back in the late 1980s and we had the internet but it was nothing like it is today. I would make stabs at that story but it wasn’t jelling—mainly because I was emotionally too close to the story.

I started taking writing classes and the instructors kept telling me to write what I know. I would LOVE to write about my adventures as a Forester but once again, I am too emotionally tied to those stories as well. [I hope you DO eventually share those stories, Sue!]

What to do? Well in 2018 we went to Australia and we found this delightful book called the TWELVE DAYS OF AUSTRALIA. I thought it was a shame that someone hadn’t written a similar book for the United States. It took me a while but I finally figured out… that person was ME!

Glacier National Park was a great fit. I live in Montana and the park is just a few hours to the north. It is simply magnificent and we go every chance we get. Because of my familiarity and love for the park, I was able to write this story very quickly.

SR: Chris Gafner’s illustrations are beautiful, colorful, engaging, humorous! A perfect fit. I happen to know that you and Chris have a special connection...tell us the backstory about the illustrations.

SS: I think this is quite the story. About 5 years ago I wrote a family cookbook. My oldest granddaughter is a gifted artist. As a ninth grader, she created my cookbook cover. It is AMAZING! Now, to be honest, the first book I wrote after touring Australia was the TWELVE DAYS AT YELLOWSTONE. Once Emma completed the cookbook cover, I asked if she wanted to illustrate the Yellowstone book. She enthusiastically said yes. She did lovely work but she never thought it was good enough – sigh!

Fast forward to four years later, and I still didn’t have an illustration. Emma’s Dad, Chris, tried to help. That didn’t go over well – typical teen/parent interaction. But I could a see that Chris really wanted to test out his ideas so I asked him if he would be interested in illustrating the Glacier book instead. He jumped at the opportunity. It just so happens that Chris has a degree in graphic design. Less than 12 months later, I have gorgeous illustrations and a book, TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER!

SR: So, what ever happened to the Yellowstone book?

SS: Emma graduated from high school and is currently attending Purdue University. We are incredibly proud of her. But no book. Chris has graciously agreed to finish it with the idea it will be published in 2027 with both his and Emma’s ideas. This truly has become a family venture.

[A very special venture, indeed!]

Four Macho Moose

Twelve Days At Glacier. Written by Sue Sutherland. Illustrated by Chris Gafner.

SR: You decided to self-publish. What was that experience like for you?

SS: Talk about a learning curve!  Did I mention that I am 70 years old? I’m proving to myself that an old dog can learn new tricks – ha! I pursued the traditional publishing pathway for years with no success.  Then I turned 70 and realized that the traditional route – find an agent, find a publisher, negotiate a book deal, and then finally hold my own book in my hands – just wasn’t going fast enough for my liking. So I looked into other options. Self-publishing was definitely the right choice for me. It allowed me to publish my book on my own terms within my own time frame. Best part? I am a bona fide author with an actual book.  Hip hip hooray!

“Weigh your options, pick your path, and jump in with both feet. There isn’t one right path that works for everyone. Can’t find a pathway that works for you? Create your own!”

—Sue Sutherland

SR: What are you finding most challenging and most rewarding in terms of marketing your book?

SS: Most Challenging – it never ends. There is always one more thing to do or one more thing that I can do better. Right now, I am trying to learn BlueSky.

Most rewarding – people’s faces light up when they see the cover. There is something about a bear juggling five huckleberry pies that make people smile. Chris captured that moment perfectly.

SR: Do you have any advice or tips for writers who are thinking about their publishing options, or who have decided they want to self-publish?

Weigh your options, pick your path, and jump in with both feet. There isn’t one right path that works for everyone. Can’t find a pathway that works for you? Create your own! (That’s a throwback to my trail blazing days with the Forest Service.)

Great advice, Sue! And now, let’s do a LIGHTNING ROUND!

1) Your personal favorite part about Glacier Park: Road to the Sun, of course!

2) Favorite hobby (other than writing): Travel

3) Favorite place you’ve traveled: We have traveled the world and each place has provided a special memory.

4) Any other projects coming down the pipeline? YES!

HOW HANNAH GOT HER LUMP OF COAL will be available Christmas 2026. This is the story that started me writing.

TWELVE DAYS AT YELLOWSTONE – 2027. Similar to TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER.

NOTHING BUT NET TROUBLE – Middle grade; this is about my daughter who decided she was going to play on the boys’ seventh grade basketball team.

Where you can find Sue Sutherland:

Facebook: Sue Janney Wight Sutherland AND ReadingTurtle - Sue Sutherland, Author

Bluesky: @suemt

Instagram: @suesutherland

Help support Sue and TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER:

🫎 Follow Sue on social media.

🫎 Buy the book for yourself, a friend or family member, a teacher or school library.

🫎 Review the book on Goodreads, Amazon, Bookshop.org, etc.

🫎 Tell your local library about TWELVE DAYS AT GLACIER and ask them to purchase it.

Stacey, thank you so much for having me on your blog. You are delightful and this was treat!

Sue, thank YOU for being here! And friends, a huge thank you as always for supporting the blog and authors!

Any questions for Sue about her publishing journey? Post them in the comments!